Bri and I roll around on the ground. I hold her tight as we make our way across the room. Swee’Pea’s delightful laughter fills the room. It’s a bubbly, light sound like a shell wind chime and I pause in my mind to take in this wonderful noise.

Out of breath, we pause at the end of the room. She sits on my stomach as we gaze into each other’s eyes and suddenly Swee’Pea’s face gets serious. It’s a sweet, touching moment and my heart swells as I realize how much I love this little munchkin gazing down at me. I smile at her as she leans in towards me. Her mouth opens slightly and I realize I’m about to get a Swee’Pea smooch right on my face.

I raise my head to meet her sweet little lips and I pucker up to give her a kiss back. She looks so cute as she leans in with her mouth half open and slobber building up on her lower lip. It’s going to be a sloppy kiss, but I don’t care. I mean, how much longer will she want to give Daddy a kiss? I don’t take this for granted and I’m ready for Swee’Pea’s sweet expression of love. As she gets even closer I relax and wait for her to give her old Daddy a kiss.

She leans in as close as she can get. And… promptly sticks her finger up my nose.

Way up my nose.

So far up my nose that I start to see stars. Pain shoots from my nostril as I frantically grab for her little iron fist and pull it from my nose. I glance at Swee’Pea, tears welling up in my eyes, and she starts to laugh again and begins to roll off. As she begins to make a run for it, I grab her and plant multiple big kisses on her chubby cheeks as she squeals with laughter.

I release her and she scampers away as I rub my nose. The pain is a distant memory and I grin to myself knowing I’ll have to be content with that last barrage of kisses. Hopefully she’ll want to give her old Daddy a kiss real soon.

But next time I’m keeping an eye on those fingers.